For every woman, it is important to become Breast Aware. You need to know what’s normal for your breasts and what’s not normal, only by understanding this, are you able to determine what you should be seeking medical advice for and what is normal for you. It is important to check, feel and examine your own breasts regularly and discuss any unusual changes or problems with your medical practitioner as soon as possible, early diagnosis of Breast Cancer is vital.

How should you examine your breasts?

Most methods of self exam, require you to stand in front of a mirror, with the whole upper torso exposed, allowing a good view of the breasts. Look for visual signs of redness, swelling and dimpling Repeat this visual check in different positions, hands on hip position, and hands raised high above head. Next you should use the tips of your fingers (most sensitive area on hands) to thoroughly examine the breast (palpate), by pressing down firmly and looking for lumps or tenderness. Whatever pattern you use, ensure it covers all areas of the breast. Repeat this examination once lying down and once standing up. Lastly, for women who are NOT breastfeeding, gently squeeze the nipple area to check for any discharge.

What changes should you be aware of?

The nipple, has it changed direction, flattened or inverted? Has your nipple changed shape? Are there are changes around or on the nipple, rash, crusted or flaky skin? Has the breast size or shape on one breast changed recently? Has there been any changes o the skin of the breast, dimpling or reddening? Has the skin on the breast gone like orange peel, with large open pores? Have you any swelling in or around the breasts or armpit area? Any lumps of any size or any changes to the texture feel of the breasts? Do you have constant pain in your breast or armpit?

The 5 point Breast Awareness Code:

Know what is normal for you. Know what changes to look for. Look and feel. Discuss any changes with your GP without delay. Attend for routine breast screening if you are aged between 50 and 64.

Early diagnosis of Breast Cancer increases your chances of surviving it…

Be Smart Be Breast Aware.

By: Rob Foley

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Reports say that after lung cancer, breast cancer is the second most deadly and common type of cancer, which accounts for 1% of all deaths and 7% of all cancer deaths. Breast cancer is considered to the fifth common cause responsible for cancer deaths.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

As a woman, you should be well aware of breast cancer, its symptoms and treatment. According to doctors, the subjective and first symptom of breast cancer is a development of a typical lump in your breast. This lump is quite different from the breast tissue surrounding it and you can notice it by careful examination.

But, breast cancer is not only determined by the lump, which appears in your breast. Studies reveal that if you are having lumps located in the lymph nodes in your collar bone or armpits, you are more likely to have breast cancer. It is the mammogram, which is done by doctors in the region of the detected lump to confirm the case of breast cancer.

But all women don’t develop the same symptoms of breast cancer. Other indications of breast cancer apart from a lump include nipple inversion, skin dimpling, spontaneous single nipple discharge or change in the shape and size of the breast. If you are having pain in your breast, don’t take it as breast cancer as it is an unreliable tool for confirming the menace.

After the invasion of the breast cancer cells in the region of dermal lymphatics, you are more likely to get skin inflammation in your breast. This phenomenon is often termed as inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Women, having inflammatory breast cancer, may develop several symptoms, which include an orange peel appearance of the skin in the breast of region, redness and warmth in the breast with extreme pain and swelling. Other symptoms indicating the presence of breast cancer in your body is increased sensitivity, burning, itching and tingling of the breast region.

Look For Immediate Attention from Your Doctor

Women developing the above symptoms of breast cancer should immediately contact their doctor. Cases of breast cancer can be diagnosed with proper examination of surgically removed tissue from the breast. Procedures of removing tissues include local surgical excision, core needle biopsy, ductal cleavage, fine needle aspiration and nipple aspirates. After this, some imaging tests such as bone scan, chest X-ray, PET scanning and MRI are conducted to confirm breast cancer.

Therapies for Treating Breast Cancer

With the advancement of medical studies, women may not worry any more, if they are having breast cancer. Surgery is the mainstay of the treatment of breast cancer, where the tumour in the breast is localised followed by adjuvant hormonal therapies in that region. Some other popular treatment methods of breast cancer are chemotherapy, immune therapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy.

One more innovative and modern method of treating breast cancer is Interstitial Laser Thermotherapy (ILT). It is a minimal invasive process and there is absolutely no need for surgical removal of the breast tissue. Doctors also recommend this treatment, as no side effects are noticed in this process and the patient remains healthy.



By: James S. Pendergraft

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